The year was 1973 and I was 25 years old, opening my first restaurant in Taft. I first came to the area from Delaware in 1970 to teach ROP food services for Taft and Maricopa schools.
Gentieu’s Pantry was a modest entry into the restaurant industry with the first day receipts total of $128.00. Modest start, yes! With just a $7000 investment and rent of $300 a month, it was the start of a wonderful 50+ year career in the food business.
Looking back over 40 years, the Pantry was well received by the community and I think most will agree, the sandwiches we created there were one of a kind and have not been duplicated to this day. We accomplished many firsts there: 5ft. Sandwiches delivered by motorcycle, home of the KiWi sandwich, the first pickled tongue sandwich in town, the record breaking worlds longest sandwich and of course, Philadelphia subs and cheese steaks sandwiches.
My sincere thanks to the people of Taft and surrounding trade area for your continuing support now and back then. There will always be a special place in my heart for the town where my entrepreneurial spirit first began.
Please share your memories of the Pantry by posting comments on our blog or on Facebook. It would be so good to hear from you.